Suspect denied bail in killing of Pitt student

The man accused of killing University of Pittsburgh student Alina Sheykhet was denied bail Monday.

Matthew Darby, 21, of Greensburg, appeared on a video screen in the courtroom of Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Jeffrey A. Manning for the brief bond hearing.

Deputy District Attorney Jennifer DiGiovanni told Judge Manning that Mr. Darby was not entitled to bond based on the homicide charge against him, adding, “He has repeatedly violated the conditions of his bond.”

Mr. Darby has two other cases pending in Allegheny County — a criminal trespass case in which Ms. Sheykhet was the alleged victim, as well as rape and related charges for a separate alleged victim in Elizabeth Township.

Mr. Darby also faces rape charges in Indiana County, where he is accused of assaulting an ex-girlfriend. He was free on $10,000 bond in that case at the time of the alleged crimes against Ms. Sheykhet, who had been dating Mr. Darby,

Her body was found in her Oakland apartment on Oct. 8. Mr. Darby was arrested three days later in Myrtle Beach, S.C. that it was advising numerous communities in Allegheny and Washington counties to boil their water before consumption due to high turbidity, or cloudiness, in the water supply.

Due to the high levels, the company said “there is an increased chance that the water might contain disease-causing organisms.”

The company said the warning applies to about 100,000 customers. Pennsylvania American Water said it is taking corrective actions, including draining water storage tanks.

According to the company, turbidity “has no health effects,” but “can interfere with disinfection and provide a medium for microbial growth” and indicate “the presence of diseasecausing organisms.”

Customers were told to boil all water intended for consumption. Boil water for at least one minute and let it cool.

The alternative is to use bottled water. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes and food preparation until further notice.

Man gets prison term in mortgage fraud scheme

The former top loan officer at a defunct South Hills mortgage company who agreed to testify against his boss in one of the region’s largest mortgage fraud schemes was sentenced Monday to 30 months in federal prison.

U.S. District Judge Donetta Ambrose imposed that term on Robert Denne of Jefferson Hills.

He had been charged along with James Nassida, the president of Century III Home Equity, with defrauding lenders out of millions of dollars with false documents. The two were set to go to trial together in 2015, but Mr. Denne pleaded guilty at the last minute.

Mr. Nassida went to trial along with his sister, Janna Nassida. They were convicted, after which Ms. Nassida killed herself.

James Nassida won a new trial because his lawyer admitted to falling asleep during the first one, but just as the new trial was about to start, Mr. Nassida elected to plead guilty to bank and wire fraud conspiracy.

He is awaiting sentencing.